All In A Day's Work
By: Emerald Padparadscha
Ruby sat back on her haunches, wiping the sweat from her brow. Pearl had drawn up some pretty good plans based on what Greg said people - especially babies - needed. The roofing was almost finished. After a few renovations inside and maybe a porch, this house would be perfect. Greg helped with the house's construction when and where he could. For a guy with no experience in construction, he had a natural talent at it. He wouldn't be living here with them, thankfully. They'd only been able to handle Greg in increments before! Years of keeping to themselves hadn't lent the Crystal Gems any inside information on what exactly human required, though...
Working like this helped her focus away from the fact Greg would be coming over in a few months with Rose's kid. Sapphire wasn't made for work, and Pearl was doing what she could inside the house. Amethyst was around here somewhere...or she had been a few minutes ago.
Refocusing, Ruby stuck a few more nails between her lips and grabbed her hammer. If this house could be finished by the end of the week, she'd be more than happy.
A few hours later...
"Alright, Pearl." Ruby walked into the currently doorless entryway, a towel slung over her shoulder. "Still doin' your thing?"
The tall, lithe Gem walked from one wall tot he other, the hologram emitting from her gem showing what Ruby could only assume was electrical design stuff. "If by "thing" you mean reworking primitive Human electronics to be able to run off of Gem power..." The hologram disappeared and Pearl crossed her arms. "Then, no, that's exactly what I've been unable to accomplish. Humans work with such simple materials. I don't see how they-" Pearl paused when she noticed the 'Get On With It' look Ruby was giving her. "Oh... Sorry." She smiled a little. "How's it going outside?"
Heat and work were two things rubies were made for, so the fact the red Gem's skin glistened from moisture was unusual. Her hair, normally wavy with medium-dense curls, was an erratic mess and mostly limp across her shoulders. "Done." Ruby replied, oblivious to Pearl's questioning gaze. She walked over to the door of the temple, wiping her face with the tower. "I'm gonna take a break an' get started on the rest later." The gem on her hand glowed as the door to her and Sapphire's shared room opened. "Also, Amethyst found water balloons."
She walked through the door, only realizing when the door closed behind her that maybe she should have waited a minute to see Pearl's face. Not far away stood Sapphire, grinning, as her partner face-palmed.
"It was priceless." Sapphire somehow deadpanned, even with a smile. "Just not as good as your's."